Shnayim Mikra

Sign up to receive the OU's popular Shnayim Mikra series via email. Shnayim Mikra provides a verse-by-verse review of the parsha in seven weekly installments, corresponding to the seven aliyos. Insights and commentary are provided by master educators familiar from the OU's Nach Yomi, including Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Rabbi Menachen Leibtag, Rabbi Yitzchak Etshalom, Rabbi Dr. Gidon Rothstein, and others. The daily emails will feature a text synopsis of each aliyah by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz, author of The Shnayim Mikra Companion. From the email, subscribers can click to access the accompanying audio lecture, plus the text of the parsha in Hebrew and English.

There is a difference of opinion as to when parshas Terumah and Tetzaveh were given. Many commentators feel that these laws were commanded after the incident of the Golden Calf in parshas Ki Sisa (see Rashi on 31:18). Many hints to this can be seen in the text. For example, in 26:30 (in last week’s […]

The two gems of the ephod were to be placed in settings of gold with gold epaulets. The breastplate was to have a pattern woven like that of the ephod. There would be four rows of three gems each, engraved with the names of Yaakov’s sons, one per stone. (According to the Talmud in Yoma […]

The robe was to be made out of blue wool. The neck hole would be reinforced so as not to tear. (This is also a command not to tear it.) The hem of the robe was to be decorated with small hanging balls called “pomegranates,” alternating with gold bells. The bells would sound as Aharon […]

Next, G-d instructed Moshe how to install Aharon and his sons as kohanim. First, he was to prepare a sacrifice of a bull and two rams, plus some loaves and matzos. Next, Aharon and his sons would immerse in a mikvah and Moshe would dress Aharon in his special uniform. Moshe would also anoint his […]

After the second ram was slaughtered, Moshe was to place some of its blood on the right ears, right thumbs, and right big toes of Aharon and his sons. The rest of the blood would be sprinkled on the altar as per usual, but this time it would also be sprinkled, along with the anointing […]

In order to consecrate the altar, two sheep would be offered each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, along with a flour offering and a wine libation. These sacrifices were to continue in perpetuity. G-d would thereby sanctify the Mishkan, the altar and the kohanim. He would cause His Presence to […]

The altar on which animals were to be burned was to be made of copper, but G-d also instructed Moshe to construct an incense altar of acacia covered in gold. This smaller altar was to have gold rings and gold-covered carrying poles. It was to be positioned in front of the Holy of Holies. (The […]

This haftarah, as so many others, comes in the middle of a longer discussion. In the original context, Ezekiel is giving a lengthy description of a Temple. It is not clear whether he intended his predictions about the second one (which had not yet been built) or the third, but it is clear that his […]

G-d told Moshe to go among the Jews and accept donations for building the Mishkan (Tabernacle). These donations could consist of gold, silver, copper, colored wool and other fabrics, skins, wood, gems, oil and spices. G-d would instruct Moshe in building the Mishkan, where His Presence would reside. The first vessel G-d described was the […]

The cover of the Aron was to be made of gold, with two figures of cherubim hammered out. The cherubs were to face one another and to extend their wings upward. The cover would be placed on the Ark after G-d gave Moshe the box’s contents (the luchos – the tablets). The Aron would become […]